We’re looking forward to introducing you to Barbara King. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Barbara, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Martial Arts is so much more than kicks and punches! A parent told me recently that they were working on their child’s balance and coordination before signing up for martial arts — and while those are wonderful skills, they’re not the heart of what we do. You can find balance drills for free on YouTube!!
At Kuk Sool Won™ of Oak Hill Martial Arts, we’re building something deeper and far more important:
• Respect and etiquette
• Discipline and grace
• Courtesy, empathy, and how to handle disappointment
• The confidence to make friends and be a leader
The kicks and punches will come — and they’ll be strong — but they’re just tools. What truly matters is who your child becomes through this journey. That’s the real power of martial arts!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Nearly 23 years ago, I stepped onto the mat for the very first time — not as a future Black Belt martial arts instructor or school owner, but simply as a mom of two young children, ages 4 and 7, who was invited to try a free class. I thought, “Sure, why not?” I never imagined earning a Black Belt, let alone becoming a co-owner of a Kuk Sool Won™ school. That always felt like a path for someone else.
But life has a way of leading us exactly where we’re meant to be. Today, as the co-owner and 4th Degree Black Belt Instructor of Kuk Sool Won™ of Oak Hill Martial Arts, I am profoundly grateful for the journey that brought me here. Martial Arts has transformed my life in ways I could never have predicted — building confidence, resilience, and purpose — and I am honored to share those same gifts with others.
Every day, I am reminded that what we do on the mat goes far beyond martial arts techniques. We are shaping lives, nurturing character, and helping students discover the best version of themselves. And for me, there is no greater privilege than being part of that journey.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, when I think back to the martial arts of the 1970s, it was all about Bruce Lee — and there were virtually no women to be found. That’s why being a woman in the martial arts today represents such a powerful cultural breakthrough. Even now, it remains a bold statement and a meaningful step forward to stand on the mat, teach, and lead in a space that once seemed closed to us.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes — all the time on this journey. I always say the hardest thing an adult will do is simply to walk through the door of a martial arts school. We have countless distractions, responsibilities, and obligations pulling at us every day, and it’s easy to put ourselves at the bottom of the list. Finding that one hour to focus on yourself — on your growth, your health, and your well-being — can feel impossible.
In looking back, I realize that I was able to see the bigger picture — thanks to my children. Even now, they are my greatest motivation. I still want to be their role model, to show them what perseverance and commitment look like. Because of them, giving up simply isn’t an option.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that I’m passionate about changing lives through the martial arts. My favorite ages to teach are 3–5 and 70–80 — the youngest beginners and the most seasoned students. These are both the most rewarding and the most challenging groups to work with. But in teaching across these ages, I’ve learned patience, creativity, compassion, and the importance of meeting each student exactly where they are.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
What is my legacy? I actually think about that question quite often as I grow older. In the martial arts, my immediate legacy is to ensure there is always a space here in Southwest Austin — a place students can call home, where they can train, grow, and belong.
But the bigger picture of legacy goes far beyond the walls of our school. It’s knowing that long after I’m gone, the lasting impact of my life’s work in martial arts will continue to ripple through the families and lives we’ve touched. The lessons, the confidence, the discipline, and the strength cultivated here will carry forward — shaping generations in ways we may never fully see.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kuksoolwonofoakhill.com
- Instagram: @kuksoolwonofoakhillmartialarts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kuksoolwonofoakhill
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kuk-sool-won-of-oak-hill-martial-arts-austin-2
